Piano Tribute

I starting taking piano lesson when I was 5 years old. It is safe to say that the piano has been one of my first loves. Like most kids I complained about taking piano lessons, but I secretly loved it. I wish I had been more diligent in high school and continued lessons, but alas it was not to be. (I studied voice instead, another one of my first loves.) Since I was so in love with the piano I always wanted one when I "grew up". But pianos are expensive. As I got older I realized I would need to make a special trip to my parent's house if I wanted to play my beloved instrument.

(This is the part in movies where the scene fades and we skip to married life.)

My in-laws have a gorgeous player piano. Like the kind you see in old western movies at the saloon.

To make a long story short, just after we were married this piano ended up living in our 400 sq foot apartment. It was a tight fit, but I was still so excited to have a piano. In a few weeks time this piano will have a new home!!! (I'm so excited to have some extra space!!!) A place where it can breathe and shine like the incredible piece that it is.

Now this piano is not perfect. E flat doesn't work, it needs to be tuned, and the pedals are broken. (The damper pedal is stuck.) But someday we will get it all fixed up and working so our kids can complain about having to take piano lessons. : )

Currently on my piano, Ben Folds and a large print Hymn Book. When we move the display on top will be revamped also...I'm thinking a collection of mis-matched picture frames from the dollar store (though they might need some TLC via Michaels) and my storage boxes...or maybe a large picture hanging above...so many ideas

The Best Two Years

No, I'm not talking about a mission, last week was my two year wedding anniversary. And it has been the best two years : ) Marriage certainly has it's challenges, ups and downs, but it's all worth it. In the past two years we've...

• gone to Disneyland : )
• completed 6 semesters of schooling
• been all over the west coast; Utah, California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington
• had one infected root canal
• eaten about a dump truck full of ice cream : )
• suffered 3 stomach flus
• gone to 8 temple weddings
• eaten at the Space Needle and A Different Point of View
• made cinnamon rolls twice
• gone to girls camp
• moved 3 times, soon to be 4
• collected 17 "I was fed by Ned" cups
• bought 3 motorcycles and one suburban
• gone to 2 midnight showings
• sung 2 duets in church
• found one cockroach (new development from this morning)
• bought 3 pieces of furniture (the rest were hand-me-downs)
• had 4 Thanksgiving dinners
• been on 2 dates with the Percivals
• watched all the movies on our "Movies we need to watch" list
• had one beautiful baby girl

And many more things. I love being married to my best friend. We stay up late talking almost every night. I can't imagine life without him; I've tried, it doesn't work. : )

Lonny

So, I've been recently obsessed with design. All the design blogs on my reading list have been featuring the new Lonny magazine. And I must say, it is to DIE for! I didn't get very far yet and don't have time to figure out photos right now because we are heading to Snowflake shortly. You should check it out! When we get back I will be doing a couple posts about this amazing-ness! Have a great weekend!

Bittersweet

Passing on is bittersweet.

My Grandma Russell passed away today. Even though I will miss her dearly, she gets to be with Grandpa again. My grandparents were two of the most amazing people I ever met. They had one of the most amazing marriages. I remember Grandpa telling me about their first fight. They went to bed without resolving the fight and Grandpa felt so bad that he promised to not ever have that happen again. I do not think they ever had another 'fight'. Disagreements for sure, but they always worked everything out. Even after more than 50 years of marriage they would hold hands when a prayer was said. They were a very happy couple. I hope to someday be as great of an example as they were.

Birthdays

Today is my 21st birthday! Today I was reflecting on how birthdays change from when we are kids, teens, and then adults. Here is what I came up with.

As kids we want cakes made out of our favorite TV characters, parties with bright streamers and balloons, and lots of presents. A barbie or hot wheels car will do nicely. : )

As teenagers, sometimes birthdays aren't even 'cool' but if they are we want a huge party with tons of friends and food and of course cake!

As adults, things seem to change. (at least being a mom) Instead of getting a cake made for us, we have to make the cake if we want one. We get excited for presents like being able to pay bills and getting the a/c in the car fixed! (I was super excited for this one!) Birthday dinner is the extent of partying, and going to bed early sounds like the best thing in the world.

My favorite part of my birthday is that it is the day after my husbands. (I only have to make one cake for the two of us : ) ) The last two days have been wonderful...except for the little episode where our neighbor blew up and swore at Skyler for about ten minutes...but I'll save that story for another day. I hope everyone had a wonderful week! I know I did : )

Swap Til You Drop!

I saw this ridiculously awesome idea in a blog, (I wish I knew how to hyperlink or whatever you use to get from my page to hers...so technology impaired here!), about a swap party. It featured in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, January 2010. http://windhula.blogspot.com/2010/02/swap-till-you-drop.html
(Well I think I figured out how to do that...not exactly what I had in mind but not bad... : ))

I would love to host one, but it'll be about 3 months before I can. Our current abode can only fit about 6 people in the living room at one time, and that's a tight squeeze. But as soon as we move, and I have a chance to spruce up the lonely commercial tile and once stark white walls (oh the joys of renting) I will be sending out facebook invites. (the joys of technology)

Food, friends, getting rid of old things and finding something new? sounds like an excellent party to me! (Sounds like a good place to put some duplicate wedding presents without receipts to use!)

Be the Best You Challenge

Be the best you summer challenge! May 17 - August 17, 2010

Today is the first day, and well, lets say I'm not off to a very good start. Here is the list of things I'm trying to do each day.

• Drink 48 oz of water - DONE!
• Floss teeth - Will be done in the next 20 minutes : )
• 45 minutes of exercise - I had such good intentions for this one : ( Maybe tomorrow (I also added go to church to this one for Sundays)
• 2 servings of fruits and 2 of veggies - I need to get to the store for this one to get done : ) I did eat lettuce on my sub, and my concrete had berries in it...just not enough for two servings
• No soda - Check! I'm not a huge fan of soda anyway and I can't have caffine which is the only reason I ever buy a soda, for a burst of energy to get me through a class
• no sweets or fast food - I'm thinking of changing this one...some days I just need some ice cream, and thats one of the only ways I get enough calcium for my baby
• No eating after 8 - Crap I forgot about this one! Maybe tomorrow
• Pray Twice a day - Check!
• Read Scriptures 15 minutes a day - DONE!
• Write in journal - I'm using blogging for this too because I always blog when I feed Mckenna, I have a hard time writing in a journal while doing this. (Maybe a word document journal....)
• Express specific appreciation, love, or praise - DONE!
• No grungy wife! (This is translating to "Can I leave the house looking like this?") - Check!
• Making sure the dishes are done before I go to bed - Give me 5 minutes! (This is one thing that never seems to get done around here.)

9 out of 13...not bad...but I can do better.

If anyone else wants to jump in, do it! It's easier to do things together : )